Sale 1040 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 26-28 March, 2013
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H. with plate no. 592 selvage at bottom, rich color, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $650.00)
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H. with plate no. 599 selvage at top, rich color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine, a stunning stamp
1c-10c Trans-Mississippi (285-286, 288-290). Each with plate no. selvage at top, 1c and 2c Mint N.H., 5c and 8c barest trace of what may be hinging, 10c few small adherences, rich colors, 1c some perf separations, fresh and Fine-Very Fine group
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H. with plate no. 604 selvage at top, rich color, Very Fine and choice
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, lightly hinged, with plate no. 603 selvage at top, deep shade and detailed impression, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1976 P.F. certificate
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Top imprint and plate no. 603 pair, lightly hinged at top of selvage where few perf separations expertly rejoined (easily trimmed) and along a few vertical perforations at bottom center, Very Fine, a beautiful imprint and plate number pair, with 2012 P.F. certificate
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Bottom imprint and plate no. 603 horizontal pair, original gum, few adherences, crisp impression, Very Fine
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H. with imprint selvage at top, intense shade on bright paper, as fresh as the day it was printed, incredibly detailed impression which highlights every minute detail of this wonderful engravingEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP EVER ISSUED. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE IMPRINT. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi's long-time popularity with collectors led to hinging of the vast majority of singles. Although blocks have been broken over the years to supply Mint N.H. singles, it seems that grading is always a compromise between perfect centering and margin width. Only in a few instances do we find the combination of Mint N.H. condition, Extremely Fine Gem centering and wide balanced margins. This stamp is one of those extremely rare examples combining everything that could be desired. It is one of only six examples that have achieved the grade of XF-Superb 95 in the P.S.E. Population Report, and only two have graded higher.
Ex Scarsdale. With 1999 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the former as a pair. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $18,000.00). Only five other examples of this popular issue have achieved this grade and only two have graded higher (at 98).
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, with plate no. 606 selvage at top, sharp proof-like impression, Very Fine and choice, a scarce plate number single, with 1984 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, h.r., detailed impression, wide margins, light natural gum bends, small thin spot, Very Fine appearance
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Bottom imprint and plate no. 606 pair, original gum, each stamp single hinge mark, detailed impression, right stamp unusual printing smudge at right from overinking not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, lightly hinged, with plate no. 613 selvage at top, detailed impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE WITH PLATE NUMBER SELVAGE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate.
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Well-centered, rich color, light New York registry oval cancel, Very Fine